One protester dressed in the unmistakable costume of company mascot Ronald McDonald was placed in handcuffs in a symbolic 'arrest' a few feet from the cash registers, where hungry diners continued to order McNuggets and soda.

Tuesday's protest in midtown Manhattan was one of dozens planned in 30 cities across the U.S., coming as McDonald's faces class-action lawsuits in New York, California and Michigan for what workers describe as "wage theft."

These seven lawsuits contend that employees of McDonald's and its franchisees were forced to work off the clock and through breaks, cutting hours and dollars off their paychecks -- and in some cases pushing wages below the $7.25 hourly federal minimum.

Workers from McDonald's and other fast food outlets took to a microphone outside the Fifth Avenue restaurant on Tuesday, telling gathered press and onlookers how this so-called "wage theft" was affecting their ability to pay for food and rent.

"Thousands of workers like me in McDonald's across the state are forced to work off the clock all the time before their shift by being told they can't punch in til it's 'busy'," said Franklin LaPaz, a 25-year-old who said he works between 30 and 40 hours weekly.

The protest came as New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Tuesday that one McDonald's franchisee, Richard Cisneros, had settled to the tune of $500,000 after failing to reimburse workers for laundering their uniforms.

Labor activists stressed that this behavior doesn't stop with Cisneros, owner of seven McDonald's franchises, nor the other outlets targeted in recent lawsuits.

A survey published last year by polling firm Anzalone Liszt Grove says 84% of New York fast food workers report having wages stolen through failed reimbursements, unpaid overtime and other violations.

"Although [the Cisneros settlement] is with just one large franchise owner, McDonald's cannot hide from its responsibility for these unlawful practices," said Jonathan Westin of activist group Fast Food Forward.

New York Public Advocate Tish James took to the microphone towards the end of Tuesday's protest to announce the creation of an anonymous hotline allowing fast food workers and other low-wage earners to report theft of their rightful pay.

"We will stand by working men and women and make sure their hard earned wages are protected," James said.

McDonald's is doing their part by investigating the claims in these recent civil action suits, per a statement by the burger chain on Tuesday.

"McDonald’s and our independent owner-operators share a concern and commitment to the well-being and fair treatment of all people who work in McDonald’s restaurants," said Heidi Barker Sa Shekhem, the company's global external comms chief.

"We are currently reviewing the allegations in the lawsuits. McDonald’s and our independent owner-operators are each committed to undertaking a comprehensive investigation of the allegations and will take any necessary actions as they apply to our respective organizations."